2025-08-09 –, MERU (🗣️ ar, es, fr, sw)
Language: English
In this talk, we aim to present the work of the Volunteers Supporters’ Network (VSN), which has been in operation since Wikimania 2014, bringing together those in the movement who directly support volunteers to share knowledge and learn from one another. It is the only network of its kind within the movement.
Since 2023, VSN has been coordinated by Wikimedia UK and Wikimedia Argentina as a peer-learning and mutual support network designed to assist community leaders in their local contexts. Its goal is to strengthen community support efforts, enhance the skills of those building communities within the Wikimedia movement, and create a safe space for learning and mutual support.
The Volunteers Supporters’ Network (VSN) plays a unique and essential role within the Wikimedia ecosystem, offering a dedicated space for those who directly support volunteers to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. Currently, no other space within the movement fulfills this need, and both ongoing and ad-hoc evaluations confirm the network’s significant value to its members.
Throughout 2024 and early 2025, VSN has facilitated discussions on the global challenges we face as a network, the strengths that help us navigate these challenges, and the ways we can work collaboratively to reinforce our impact in this global context. These insights are shaping our current and future initiatives, with a key focus on expanding our network to new groups and regions.
As we grow, we remain committed to fostering community connections, strengthening cross-regional communication, and enhancing knowledge exchange, ensuring that our values are shared and upheld across the movement.
- How do you plan to deliver this session? You will be asked to confirm this closer to the date in case of changes to the format.
-
Onsite in Nairobi
- What other themes or topics does your session fit into? Please choose from the list of tags below.
-
Capacity building, Collaboration
- How does your session relate to the event theme: Wikimania@20: Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability?
-
VSN's work its deeply connected with our movement sustainability, as we work to foster volunteers support across the globe.
- What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?
-
Everyone can participate in this session
- Should your session be selected for the program, do you agree to release your session and supporting materials on-wiki and on the eventyay platform under CC BY-SA 4.0?
-
I agree